With recent temperatures dipping into the teens and 20s, now isn’t exactly the time for light lawn mower lager.
Since the early days of European brewing, winter has always been the season for stronger, darker, heartier ales. And since the advent of craft brewing in the U.S., cold weather has meant seasonal takes on classics such as imperial stout, barleywine and big Belgian styles.
In early December, I was a judge at the 2014 Atlanta Strong Beer Fest , a lively local event where every beer was from Georgia, and every beer was over 8 percent alcohol by volume.
Among the more than 40 high-gravity offerings: Burnt Hickory Charred Walls of the Damned bourbon barrel quad; Creature Comforts The Curious No. 4 Corsair whiskey and maple Russian imperial stout, Max Lager’s Demon d’Or Belgian tripel; Monday Night Gun Show strong Belgian golden; Terrapin Midnight Monk’s Belgian black IPA; Twain’s bourbon barrel-aged Beggar’s Barleywine; Wrecking Bar Border Patrol Hot Pursuit spiced American strong ale.
If you’re lucky, you may still find a few of those on draft at the breweries or at better beer bars around metro Atlanta. Nowadays, though, many winter seasonals are sold out before Christmas, which means they’re gone just when you want them most.
The solution for some serious beer lovers is buying early and cellaring favorites like Anchor Christmas, Avery Old Jubilation, Founders Backwoods Bastard, Great Divide Hibernation, Highland Cold Mountain, Lagunitas Brown Shugga and Sierra Nevada Celebration.
Of course, there are other worthy winter beers, including some great January and February releases. Here are four to look for:
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout — Highly rated, luxurious, vintage-dated imperial stout that ages very well at 10 percent, with a rich dark-chocolate flavor and silky mouthfeel. Perfect for pairing with desserts, and makes an elegant Valentine's Day treat.
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot — First introduced in the winter of 1983, this robust 9.6 percent barleywine has become a vintage dated classic for cellaring, developing different aromas and flavors as it ages. Collectors often do "vertical tastings" of successive years.
Sweetwater Happy Ending — This true winter seasonal American-style imperial stout is dry-hopped and hefty at 9 percent, and available late December through early March, in six packs, 22-ounce bombers, and on draft. Winner of a 2014 World Beer Cup Silver Medal.
Wild Heaven Eschaton — An oaked Belgian-style quad at 10.5 percent that's big and malty, and layered with complex earthy, spicy flavors and aromas and vanilla notes. Suggested pairings include Stilton cheese, Belgian chocolate, and tart fruit desserts.
About the Author
